Arrests Regarding Matthew Perry’s Untimely Death Have \201cBrought Back a Lot of Feelings\201d For His Close Friends, Source Says

\201cIt’s sad that he was surrounded by enablers.\201d

Actor Matthew Perry arrives at CBS, CW And Showtime 2015 Summer TCA Party at Pacific Design Center on August 10, 2015 in West Hollywood, California.
(Image credit: Getty/Axelle/Bauer-Griffin)

Warning: This post contains descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance abuse, please call SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or text TALK to 741741.

After five people were arrested and charged in connection to actor Matthew Perry's untimely and accidental death, those closest to him are reliving painful feelings regarding the loss of their friend, a source has revealed.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, two doctors, a known drug dealer, an alleged distributor, and the actor's former personal assistant were charged in their suspected roles in Perry's death, which was determined to have been caused by an accidental Ketamine overdose.

The actor was found unresponsive in his jacuzzi on Oct. 29, 2023. According to his former assistant's plea deal, the actor asked his assistant to "shoot me up with a big one" hours before he passed away.

As details regarding the arrest emerge, those closest to Perry are dealing with "a lot of feelings" that have been "brought back" as a result of the arrests, one insider says.

The One After Joey And Rachel Kiss" -- Episode 1 -- Aired 09/25/2003 -- Pictured: (l-r) Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller-Bing

Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller-Bing.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"Matthew did have true friends that loved and cared about him," a source recently told People. "They would have all tried to help him if he'd reached out."

According to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, the defendants in the case "took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves."

"They knew what they were doing is wrong," he added while speaking at a press conference on Thursday.

In the indictment, Dr. Plasencia—who was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation—allegedly exchanged text messages with others involved in distributing Ketamine to Perry.

"I wonder how much this moron will pay," he wrote in one such message, as reported by The Associated Press. "Let's find out."

According to Placencia's lawyer, the doctor was simply "operating with what he thought were the best of medical intentions."

On Monday, Aug. 19, and on what would have been Perry's 55th birthday, the official Friends Instagram account honored the actor with a moving post accompanied by a simple headshot of the former television and movie star.

"On this day, we remember the light that was Matthew Perry," the caption read.

Fans quickly left moving comments on the post, expressing their profound sadness and appreciation for Perry and the mark he undeniably left on pop culture and television history.

"Right now me and my husband are watching Friends, Matthew you're the best. I love you," one fan commented.

"I wish u could be still here living your life, being happy and making us happy as you always did," another posted.

Danielle Campoamor
Weekend Editor

Danielle Campoamor is Marie Claire's weekend editor covering all things news, celebrity, politics, culture, live events, and more. In addition, she is an award-winning freelance writer and former NBC journalist with over a decade of digital media experience covering mental health, reproductive justice, abortion access, maternal mortality, gun violence, climate change, politics, celebrity news, culture, online trends, wellness, gender-based violence and other feminist issues. You can find her work in The New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, New York Magazine, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, TODAY, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, InStyle, Playboy, Teen Vogue, Glamour, The Daily Beast, Mother Jones, Prism, Newsweek, Slate, HuffPost and more. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and their two feral sons. When she is not writing, editing or doom scrolling she enjoys reading, cooking, debating current events and politics, traveling to Seattle to see her dear friends and losing Pokémon battles against her ruthless offspring. You can find her on X, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and all the places.

Read more
Julia Stiles has blonde hair and wears a white shirt, and Heath Ledger wears a blue blazer and has wavy brown blond hair
Julia Stiles Pays Tribute to "Generous" '10 Things I Hate About You' Costar Heath Ledger
Mark Coles Smith as Justin, Richard Davies as Sean in Apple Cider Vinegar.
How Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano Uncovered the True Story of 'Apple Cider Vinegar'
A woman (Alycia Debnam-Carey as Milla Blake) holds a basket of juice bottles as a man (Chai Hansen as Arlo) stands behind her. To the left, a hand holds a pamphlet about the juices. A still from 'Apple Cider Vinegar.'
What to Know About Milla Blake of 'Apple Cider Vinegar,' and the Real-Life Influencer Who Inspired the Character
Michelle Trachtenberg and Princess Eugenie pose together in a photobooth
Princess Eugenie Pays Tribute to "Genuine" Friendship With Michelle Trachtenberg Following Her Death
Kaitlyn Dever as Belle in Apple Cider Vinegar.
Where Is Belle Gibson Now? What We Know About the Subject of 'Apple Cider Vinegar'
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan, Nancy Meyers Post Loving Tributes to 'The Parent Trap' Writer
Latest in Celebrity
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso at Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre in Maseru, Lesotho in October 2024
Why Prince Harry Is So "Torn Apart" Over Resigning From His Charity
Taylor Swift singing in a giant martini glass in the Bejeweled music video
How Working With Taylor Swift Was Different Than Dita Von Teese Expected
Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries, and Kris Jenner posing with a car-shaped birthday cake at Marquee Nightclub in Las Vegas in October 2011
Kris Jenner Is Still Making Fun of Kim Kardashian for Her 72-Day Marriage
Jonathan Davino in a blue shirt and gray blazer and Sydney Sweeney in a black and white patterned dress at the InStyle and Kate Spade dinner in October 2018
Sydney Sweeney Deletes Instagram of Fiancé Jonathan Davino, Further Fueling Breakup Rumors
Meghan Markle in a beige shirt on stage at SXSW in March 2024
Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow Open Up About Their "Rift" Over Pie
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Latest in News
(l-r) Cara Kies, Lydia Blair, Chris Allen, Jaimi Alexander and Samantha Hubbard in episode 103 of Million Dollar Secret.
Where Is 'Million Dollar Secret' Filmed? What to Know About the Luxury Estate That Doubles As The Stag
Selena Gomez with silver earrings, a straight bob haircut and natural makeup
Selena Gomez Hosts a Master Class in Matching Your Red Blush and Red Lipstick to Your Outfit
Dua Lipa walks in Australia wearing a hardcore tank top with a Chanel 22 bag and a sheer skirt
Dua Lipa Layers a Sheer Skirt and Chanel Beach Bag Over Her Teeny Polka Dot Bikini
A boy with a bruised face (Park Ji-hoon as Yeo Si-eun) stands in front of a blurred crowd, in 'Weak Hero Class 2.'
'Weak Hero Class 2': Everything We Know
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso at Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre in Maseru, Lesotho in October 2024
Why Prince Harry Is So "Torn Apart" Over Resigning From His Charity
Women wearing the cos new collection
Out of 943 Pieces at the COS Sale, These 24 Deserve a Spot in Your Closet